Artichoke plant named &#39;PS-MSG0417&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of artichoke plant named ‘PS-MSG0417’, characterized by its numerous bud numbers, fleshiness of bracts, fleshiness of hearts, excellent fecundity and uniformity of head shapes.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Cynara scolymus L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PS-MSG0417’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of artichoke plant, botanically known as Cynara scolymus L., and herein referred to by the cultivar name ‘PS-MSG0417’.

Cynara scolymus L., commonly known as Globe artichoke, is a thistle-like perennial herb and is a member of the family Asteraceae, also known as the Compositae family. Globe artichokes comprise: leaves, which are pinnately lobed; but primarily spiney; oval capitula composed of overlapping layers of large volucral bracts; and receptacles, which are enlarged and fleshy. Globe artichoke plants may be propagated by division or vegetative means, and are essentially grown for the production of the immature flower heads, which are considered as vegetable delicacies. Fresh artichokes may be baked, steamed, or boiled, after which the fleshy receptacle, inner and outer bracts, and parts of the floral stem may be eaten.

The new Cynara cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program carried out by the inventor, William J. Colfer, in Chowchilla, Calif., in 2002. The female or seed parent is the Cynara scolymus cultivar designated ‘GGMSC5’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Cynara scolymus cultivar designated ‘GGMSC5ER’ (unpatented). The new Cynara cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor, as a single flower plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in (2001) in Chowchilla, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new Cynara cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in July of 2003 in Watsonville, Calif., and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PS-MSG0417’, which in combination distinguish this Cynara as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. numerous bud numbers;     -   2. fleshiness of bracts;     -   3. fleshiness of hearts;     -   4. uniformity of head shapes; and     -   5. excellent fecundity.         It should be noted that these data were collected from first         year transplants.

Plants of the new Cynara cultivar ‘PS-MSG0417’ differ from plants of the parents, ‘GGMSC5’ (unpatented) and ‘GGMSC5ER’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics described in Table 1. TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘GGMSC5’ ‘GGMSC5ER’ Character ‘PS-MSG0417’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Average Head Number 6.86 5.45 4.32 Head Shape Oval Oval Oval Head Color Green Green Green Average Plant Height 116.84 121.92 132.08 (cm)

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Cynara cultivar ‘PS-MSG0417’ is the Cynara cultivar (Green Globe (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2: TABLE 2 New Cultivar Green Globe Characteristic ‘PS-MSG0417’ (unpatented) Average Head Number 6.86 5.2 Fleshiness of bract (cm) 0.53 0.49 Uniformity of head shapes 4.7 3.8 Rating Scale: (1-5) Postproduction longevity Good Moderate to good

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Cynara cultivar ‘PS-MSG0417’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘PS-MSG0417’.

FIG. 1 shows an arial view of one complete ‘PS-MSG0417’ plant grown in the field.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of both the side view and vertical cross-section view of typical fruit, with their attached leaves, produced by ‘PS-MSG0417’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Cynara cultivar ‘PS-MSG0417’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘PS-MSG0417’ as grown in Castroville, Calif., under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

Castroville is located in California's central coast. Conditions can vary greatly during the summer months. Air temperature can range between the low 20's (degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter to above 80 (degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer months. Relative humidity is generally moderate with values ranging from the mid 40's to the high 60's. Prevailing winds are westerly, and rainfall rarely exceeds 25″ (inches) of rainfall.

In the following description, holding quality was measured by the physical appearance of the harvested heads. This includes the heads appearance following 3, 7 and 10 day storage periods in a cold storage room held at 34 (degrees Fahrenheit). Head exterior (oxidation) was observed at each of the three observation points. Browning and blackening of plant tissue was evaluated as light, moderate and extreme. Juiciness was measured by observing exudate and rated as absent, moderate or excessive. Overall storage response was measured by observations concentrated on visible color variability and/or presence of lesions or other cosmetic anomalies. Leaf ratio (L/W) was determined by dividing representative leaf sample length measurements by representative leaf sample width measurements. Finally, head response to (weather) was determined by observing the heads at maturity. These field observations focus on presence or absence of bronzing, necrotic and chlorotic lesions or any abiotic response to environmental conditions. These data are reported as the possible causal event(s), and then describe the detailed head and plant responses.

The age of the plants described is about 270 to 285 days from transplanting. Plants were developed in transplant trays for about 120 days, for a total plant age of about 290 to 400 days.

All color references below are measured against The Munsell Book of Color, Munsell Color Macbeth Division of Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation, (1988/PRO88-A). Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Cynara scolymus L.         -   Commercial.—Artichoke c.v. ‘PS-MSG0417’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Cynara scolymus cultivar designated             ‘GGMSC5’ (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Cynara scolymus cultivar designated             ‘GGMSC5ER’ (unpatented). -   Propagation: Vegetative cuttings. -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—About 116.84 cm. Range: 106.68 cm to 127.00 cm.         -   Width.—About 179.20 cm. Range: 170.10 cm to 182.00 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Upright/intermediate.         -   Vigor.—Good. (This measurement is based on overall plant             performance. Including plant height, density of leaf canopy             and overall plant growth and development rates). Side             Shoots:         -   Number per plant.—About 5.40 cm. Range: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm.         -   Length.—About 19.72 cm. Range: 18 cm to 22 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 2.04 cm. Range: 1.7 to 2.4 cm.         -   Color.—Munsell Color: Wide range of colors: 5GY 7/6-5GY 6/6-             5GY 5/6-5GY 4/4. Anthocyanin coloration range: 2.5R 5/4-2.5R             4/4-2.5R 3/4         -   Foliage density.—Open to moderate, variable shoots give             plant a open to moderate plant density appearance.         -   Side shoot development.—Moderate side shoot development.         -   Number of leaves per side shoot.—Ranges from 4 to 8. Stem             (main):         -   Length.—About 26.53 cm. Range: 21.6 cm to 30.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 6.43 cm. Range: 5.6 cm to 7.4 cm.         -   Width (with leaves).—Ranges from 7.40 cm to 9.50 cm.         -   Color.—Color Designation: 5GY 4/4-5GY 5/4-5GY 6/6 green             coloration with basal anthocyanin coloration: 5R 5/4-5R 4/4.         -   Number of leaves per main stem.—Ranges from 12 to 20.         -   Distance between leaf lobes (use petiole or leaf insertion             not lobes) on stem.—Ranges from 6.0 cm to 10.1 cm. -   Inflorescence: Capitulum (head):     -   -   Number.—About 6.86/plant. Range: 6.0 to 8.0 heads/plant.         -   Shape.—Oval. Oval shape can have increased mid-section             dimensions.         -   Size.—(12) Primary: 36.20 cm to 38.10 cm. (18) Secondary:             28.58 cm to 30.40 cm (30) Tertiary: 28.58 cm to 30.48             cm (36) Tertiary: 26.04 cm to 27.94 cm (48) Tertiary: 23.50             cm to 25.40 cm.         -   Texture.—Intermediate, smooth.         -   Color.—Color Designation: 5 GY 5/6-5GY 6/4-5GY 6/6.         -   Fragrance.—Mild, lightly aromatic. Slightly sweet aroma.         -   Firmness.—Heads are moderately firm. Some head types in the             spring have reduced firmness.         -   Gloss.—Dull. Heads have very little glossiness.         -   Juiciness.—Absent. Peduncle and bract exudate is slight.             Bract:         -   Number.—About 80.50 bracts. Range: 76 to 86 bracts.         -   Length.—About 7.97 cm. Range: 7.67 cm to 8.17 cm.         -   Width.—About 5.59 cm. Range: 4.95 cm to 5.85 cm.         -   Shape.—Bracts are predominantly oval shaped with constricted             (narrow) basal regions on outer bracts and inner bracts are             slightly rounded at the base.         -   Texture.—Smooth, slight texture.         -   Color (inner).—Bract Interior: 5 GY 4/6-5 GY 6/6 (Green).             Outer bract interior, apex: 2.5 GY 8/6-7.5 Y 9/6             (Green-Yellow) More interior bracts on the basal portions of             the bracts.         -   Color (outer).—Exterior 5 Y 8.5/6-7.5 Y 8.5/6 (Green).         -   Coloration of bract.—(Mid-region to Apex) 5 GY 4/4-5 GY             5/6-7.5 Y 8/8-10 Y 8.5/8 (Green coloration with basal yellow             coloration).         -   Firmness.—Moderate. Bracts are brittle with reduced             malleability. Outer bracts are more flexible.         -   Spinosity.—Present or none. Spines are present. Length             ranges between 1 mm to 3 mm in length.         -   Basal thickness.—About 5.33 mm. Range: 4.67 mm to 6.0 mm.             Heart:         -   Description.—Concave, full. Heart is slightly concave with             broad outer margins.         -   Color.—5 Y 9/2-7.5 Y 9/2 Pappus:         -   Length.—About 17.30 mm. Range: 15.0 mm to 19.0 mm.         -   Color.—Variable white coloration.         -   Overall cold storage response.—Good cold storage response.             Slight oxidation observed (light browning).         -   Cold storage (hold quality).—Good. Only a slight “browning”             was observed on some bract edges.         -   Head exterior (oxidation).—Moderate. Only those areas             damaged during harvest showed some oxidation.         -   Head response (weather).—None. No adverse plant responses             were observed. -   Foliage: Leaf:     -   -   Shape.—Leaves are classified as long strap like leaf with             irregular dentate leaves. Margins are described as parted             pinnatisect, with a slightly reduced tomentose upper leaf             surface and more advanced tomentose lower leaf surface. The             leaf apex is described as a reduced mucronulate.         -   Length.—About 113.92 cm. Range: 109.6 cm to 118.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 54.69 cm. Range: 52.27 cm to 57.03 cm.         -   Leaf ratio (L/W).—About 2.07. Range: 1.91 to 2.16.         -   Leaf area.—About 6,206.68 cm². Range: 5,995.37 cm² to             6,440.00 cm².         -   Leaf serrations.—About 29.57 mm. Range: 13.0 mm to 46.0 mm.         -   Leaf distance between Serrations.—About 49.7 mm. Range: 38.0             mm to 75.0 mm.         -   Leaf basal angle.—About 47.40 degrees. Range: 38.0 degrees             to 62.0 degrees.         -   Leaf basal thickness.—About 14.83 mm. Range: 14.33 mm to             15.33 mm.         -   Leaf area.—About 6,206.68 cm². Range: 5,995.37 cm²-to             6,440.00 cm².         -   Texture.—Slightly textured. Immature developing leaves are             smooth. Older leaves slightly blistered surface.         -   Pubescence.—Smooth to sparse density. Pubescence on most             leaves is indistinct. Immature, younger leaves are highly             pubescent on both surfaces but become reduced on the upper             leaf surface as the leaf matures.(both surfaces?). Lower             leaf surface is more pubescent throughout the leaf's             development.         -   Color.—5 GY 4/4-5 GY 6/6 (upper leaf surface). 5 GY 6/2             (younger lower leaf surface) to 5 GY 6/4 (slightly older             leaf surface). Venation: Prominent, greenish/white. Both             mid-vein and surrounding venation are light green colored.             Pattern: Light green/whitish mid-vein with green venation             radiating from leaf mid-vein. Color: Greenish/white: Light             transparent green coloration near 5GY 8/4. Petiole:         -   Length/—About 22.89 cm. Range: 16.2 cm to 27.6 cm.         -   Width.—About 4.14 cm. Range: 3.7 cm to 4.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.43 cm. Range: 1.2 cm to 1.7 cm.         -   Color.—Color Designation: Color designation very similar to             stem coloration: 5GY 4/4-5GY 5/4-5GY 6/6. Anthocyanin             coloration: 5R 5/4-5R 4/4. -   Disease/pest/resistance: No observations made. -   Disease/pest/susceptibility: No observations made. -   General observations: This new artichoke cultivar is a unique type     that exhibits the following characteristics. The plants moderate     height, ranging from 106 cm to 127 cm. Its comparative head     qualities to California's artichoke variety ‘Green Globe’ include:     green (non-glossy) exterior coloration, greater head numbers. Head     numbers ranging from 6 to 8 heads per plant. Head shape does have     slight variation displaying a predominately oval shapes and,     slightly broadened mid-sections, oval shapes. These non-glossy heads     are produced in the sizes ranging from (12) primary, size (18)     secondaries and size (30, 36 and 48) tertiaries. Floral stalk     development and head numbers can vary. Anthocyanin coloration is not     present in innermost interior bracts. The head spinosity is present     on bract apexes. Inner bracts also display spines but can be very     slightly notched. The average spine length ranges between     1.8-3.0 mm. The plants upright growth habit is intermediate, but is     very vigorous. The canopies coloration is a deeper     green/green/yellow color with some colors ranging towards darker     green/ green hues. These colors on Munsell Leaf Color Chart range     from 5 GY 4/4-5 GY 6/6. Leaf spinosity is light to moderate,     categorized as few. Floral stalk development during anthesis     produces a purple flower. Flower color varies with flower maturity.     The phenotypic characteristics of this cultivar may vary slightly,     depending upon variation in the environmental factors. Including     weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length,     soil type, farming practices, location and time of year. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of artichoke plant named ‘PS-MSG0417’, as described and illustrated. 